Medium Quality Soundcard?

[caphilbr]

I'm going to buy a new soundcard for my computer. All I need is a 4-input soundcard for now, with the option of adding more inputs later on. I don't know anything about soundcards, but Echo's MIA 24-96 (supposedly brand new) and Digital Audio's Card Deluxe look like what I need. They have 4 inputs for the regular music wires (ie. guitar and mic wires) and 2 outputs for regular stereo wires. My question is two-fold... 1) Will I be able to use these soundcards when I want to record 8 tracks at once (ie. by plugging in some other piece of hardware that expands my inputs to eight) and 2) If so, are these two good selections or are there cards out there that have more value for my money? I'm looking for sound quality that is good enough that an untrained ear won't be able to tell the difference between my recordings and, say, the recordings done by college students studying music recording and using the college studio. In other words, I want my recordings to be near professional quality.

 

[DavidK]

Hi,
never heard of Mia, I thought you got the name mixed
up, so I went to the Echo Site, and there she is!

Specs look good. I have a darla24 , love it, sounds
great.

Your questions; Can you record 8 inputs at once?
Probably if you buy two Mias.Make sure you have
enough PCI slots.

Cards for the money? Echo says Mia will be less than
$250, so it will probably be much cheaper at a Sam Ash
type dealer. Looks like a great deal.

Will your recordings be as good or close to the recording
students' recordings in the college studio? I certainly
hope NOT, if the college is anything at all.
The students are studying an art form, getting
intense lessons on decibals, electronics, wiring,
phasing, all kinds of stuff, and if the school
is decent they will have a decent studio.
Its somewhat like asking if One can teach himself
the trumpet as good as the trumpet major with
outstanding teacher. No, they cant.

However, that Mia looks cool, and you can certainly
make some fine music with a setup like that.

I make tons of CDs as a session player,
and I have a DAW at home for my own
enjoyment and project CDs. I would love to someday take
a class, if only a seminar, on recording. If you
are in that position I hope you jump at
the chance, and Good Luck. David